Product Photos vs. Product Videos: What Sells in 2025?

We’re living in a time where nearly anything you want to buy is just one tap away. Whether it's your go-to snack, a new cleaning product or something you didn’t even know you needed until five minutes ago, e-commerce has never been more accessible or impulsive. But with so many options flooding your screen at any given moment, the real question becomes: 

What Makes a Buyer Click “Add to Cart” in the First Place? 

In this blog, I want to explore the impact of high-quality product photos and product videos, and how using the right visual strategy can increase your conversions, boost your brand’s trust and make your product the one that stands out. 

The Four Questions Every Buyer Asks (Whether They Know It or Not) 

Whether you're selling a premium kitchen gadget or a lifestyle product, your customers are subconsciously asking these four questions: 

1. Do I need it?

This is the most powerful motivator. If your product solves a clear problem or satisfies an immediate need, half the battle is already won. But that urgency has to be felt. This is where visual content comes in. 

• A photo can show the product’s sleek design and key features.
• A video, on the other hand, can demonstrate the pain point it solves and the transformation it delivers. Need to unclog a drain in under a minute? A time-lapse video showing that process is far more convincing than a caption saying “fast-acting formula.” 

Why it matters: Need is emotional. A video makes that emotion more real, more immediate. 

2. Does it catch my eye and make me want it?

We all scroll fast. So if your product doesn’t visually grab attention, it’s gone in the blink of an eye. That’s where both photos and videos shine—but in different ways. 

• Photos are essential for first impressions. Clean, high-resolution images that showcase details, textures and variations (color, size, etc.) help a buyer see quality instantly.
• Videos give context. They can show your product in motion, being used in real-world scenarios, with real people. They tell a story in seconds that a photo just can’t. 

Pro tip: Add motion or looping video (even just 5 seconds) on product pages. It holds attention longer and increases engagement. 

3. How often do I see it?

We don’t always buy something the first time we see it. Repetition breeds familiarity. And, familiarity breeds trust. Your product needs to show up consistently: 

• In ads
• On social feeds
• On your homepage.
• In influencer content

And when it does, the content needs to stick. 

• Photos are great for broad awareness, especially as thumbnails, ad banners or Instagram posts.
• Videos, especially short-form ones, are powerful for retargeting and re-engaging. A video can answer objections, show new use-cases or simply remind buyers how satisfying your product is. 

Remember: The more high-quality variety you give the algorithm to work with, the more places your product shows up. 

4. Does this product just check the box? 

Not every product is sexy. Sometimes it’s just a refill, a replacement or something routine. That doesn’t mean visuals don’t matter. On the contrary, this is when brand trust and consistency shine. 

• A clean, professional product photo ensures that the buyer knows exactly what they’re getting.
• A quick product video reassures them that the quality hasn’t changed, and maybe even highlights improvements or offers a reminder of how the product works best. 

This is also the phase where brand loyalty is built. Customers who keep seeing high-quality content are more likely to become long-term buyers. 

So… Photos or Videos? 

The answer: BOTH 

• Use photos for clarity, detail and design.
• Use videos for emotion, context and engagement. 

Together, they create a complete visual story that drives conversions and builds brand trust. And, you don’t need a full studio or commercial budget to do this either. Even short, well-lit smartphone videos can outperform static images in certain ad campaigns. But when you do invest in quality content, especially video, it pays off in brand lift, conversion rates and customer confidence. 

In 2025, people aren’t just buying products, they’re buying experiences, solutions and brand vibes. Your photos and videos are your first chance to make them feel something. 

So ask yourself: 

• Does your content create urgency?
• Does it stop the scroll?
• Does it answer questions without words?
• Does it give a reason to come back? 

Because if it does, you’re not just selling a product. You’re selling success. At TKG, we specialize in creating product photography and video strategies that boost conversions and brand trust. Let’s plan your next content shoot.